The KHDK Scott Ian signature distortion/boost pedal, known as the SGT D, is a two-in-one pedal with a Boost section and an Amp section, built with Anthrax and Stormtroopers Of Death guitarist Scott Ian1. KHDK describes it as "a booster with amp-like sound"1, and press coverage framed it as a distortion/boost unit that recreates Ian's old-school crossover and thrash tones from his bands Stormtroopers Of Death and Anthrax2. It was announced in December 2020 as a limited edition of 250 pieces2.
The two sections are independent of each other, so the pedal can boost a different pedal or an overdriven amp, or both sections can be activated together1. Two footswitches handle this: one engages the boost side, and the other engages the amp-modeling distortion circuit2.
The SGT D is sold out at KHDK, and its follow-up, the Scott Ian JSL, is also listed as sold out5. Both were limited runs, so neither is in current production.
A boost with an amp-modeling distortion side
The Boost section carries a two-band EQ plus a boost level control2. Its circuit recreates that of an iconic booster pedal Scott Ian used in the early days of Anthrax and Stormtroopers Of Death126, which Gearnews identifies as the TC Electronic Booster Distortion126. The pedal carries artwork of Stormtroopers Of Death's mascot, Sargent D2.
The Amp side is the amp-modeling distortion circuit, and KHDK says the SGT D is designed to push your amp hard into distortion and add muscle to your chug4. Guitar.com described the result as a ruthlessly vicious pedal that captures Ian's S.O.D. amp tone and works as a booster that can make even a cheap practice amp sound like a monster2.
| Section | What it does | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Boost | Pre-distortion EQ and level boost, can drive another pedal or an amp12 | Two-band EQ, boost level2 |
| Amp | Amp-modeling distortion circuit, engaged by its own footswitch2 | Engaged by second footswitch2 |
Does the boost come before the distortion?
Yes. The boost runs before the distortion, so its EQ shapes the sound you want to hit the distortion side, or your amp's preamp2. KHDK puts it plainly: "The Boost section works as a pre-distortion EQ control"1. MusicRadar's coverage described it the same way, as a boost section that operates as a pre-distortion EQ control4.
For a player, that ordering matters: set the boost's EQ to tighten or fatten the signal feeding the distortion side, or switch the boost on alone into an already-overdriven amp for extra push12.
From the SGT D to the JSL
KHDK later released a second Scott Ian signature pedal, the JSL, which Gearnews describes as a redesigned take on Ian's previous KHDK Sgt D signature pedal6. Like the SGT D, it is a two-in-one pedal with Boost and Amp sections, and its boost section also includes the circuit of the TC Electronic Booster Distortion, an iconic booster pedal Scott used in the early days of Anthrax and S.O.D.5. The JSL is now sold out2.
| SGT D | JSL | |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Original signature pedal | Redesigned take on the Sgt D6 |
| Sections | Boost and Amp sections1 | Boost and Amp sections16 |
| Status | Sold out2 | Sold out2 |
Videos
killertonetexas
Scott Bynoe
Stellow Music
Questions
How many KHDK Scott Ian signature pedals were made?
The original SGT D was a limited edition of 250 pieces only, and it sold out. The follow-up JSL, announced in January 2022, was limited to 333 pieces and each came with a certificate signed by Scott Ian. Both runs are sold out at the maker.
What is the difference between the KHDK SGT D and the JSL?
The JSL is a redesigned take on the earlier SGT D. Both are two-in-one pedals with independent Boost and Amp sections, but the JSL was a larger run of 333 units with a signed certificate, while the SGT D was limited to 250. The JSL shipped in January 2022 at $249.99.
Does the boost come before the distortion on the KHDK Scott Ian pedal?
Yes. The boost runs before the distortion, so its two-band EQ shapes the signal that hits the distortion side or your amp's preamp. KHDK describes the Boost section as working as a pre-distortion EQ control.
What booster pedal is the KHDK Scott Ian pedal based on?
The boost circuit recreates that of an iconic booster pedal Scott Ian used in the early days of Anthrax and Stormtroopers Of Death, which MusicRadar identifies as the TC Electronic Booster Distortion.
How much did the KHDK Scott Ian signature pedal cost?
Guitar.com reported the SGT D listing at $249.99, while MusicRadar priced it at $249. The follow-up JSL was announced at $249.99. All of these were US list prices at the time of each release.
Sources (6)
- Scott Ian of Anthrax and SOD Pedal SGT D by KHDK Electronics, KHDK Electronics
- Scott Ian pairs with KHDK Electronics for a signature distortion/boost pedal, Guitar.com, 2020-12-08
- KHDK teams up with Brian Posehn and Fall Out Boy's Joe Trohman for an NSFW “Dickstortion“ pedal, My Big Fatt Rawk, MusicRadar, 2021-04-13
- Add some stomp, stomp, stomp in your riffs with the KHDK Electronics Scott Ian SGT D boost/preamp, MusicRadar, 2020-12-04
- In Waves Trivium limited clean boost pedal by KHDK, KHDK Electronics
- The new effects pedals you need to be stomping in 2022, MusicRadar, 2022-01-29
